Anderson, Heather; Pi, Ron. Feb. 27, 2004Description of Study: Evaluation of five pilot court-annexed civil mediation programs in California - three mandatory programs (Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego Counties) and two voluntary programs (Contra Costa and Sonoma Counties), in which mediation was to occur earlier than in programs that had been in place.
Findings: 58% of unlimited cases and 71% of limited cases settled as a result of mediation. Looking at all cases (comparing all cases in each group, not just those that went to mediation to those that did not), the trial rate was reduced 24 to 30 percent in Sa...
Dispute Resolution Office, Ministry of Attorney General, British Columbia. Nov. 3, 2001Description of Study: Examination of impact of mediation on cases in which the child had been removed in Surrey Provincial Court, British Columbia.
Findings: 92% of all issues (348/378) were resolved, with those involving services for the parents having the highest resolution rate, and parenting the lowest. The entire case was resolved 83% of the time, while it was partially resolved in 12% of the cases. ...
Goerdt, John A.. The Judge's Journal, Jan. 1, 1993Description of Study: Comparative study looking at satisfaction and the impact of mediation on the court's time in small claims courts in Portland, Oregon; Washington, D.C.; and Des Moines, Iowa.
Findings: Satisfaction with the outcome was higher for mediated cases in Washington and Portland; it was the same in Des Moines. Satisfaction with the process was higher for mediated cases in Washington, the same in Portland, and lower in Des Moines. The autho...
Hanson, Roger A.. Jan. 1, 2000Description of Study: Examination of the efficacy of mediation of workers' compensation cases on appeal.
Findings: 73% of attorneys were satisfied with the outcome of the mediation (27% very, 46% somewhat). Satisfaction was related to whether the attorney thought the other party was negotiating in good faith. Satisfaction was also related to whether the mediator ...
Donnelly, Laura F.; Ebron, Rebecca G.. Jan. 1, 2000Description of Study: Comparative study looking at trial rate and satisfaction in custody and visitation cases.
Findings: No difference was found in median time to disposition between mediated and non-mediated cases (which ranged from 4.9 to 6.9 months); there was no effect on trial rate; no difference was found in parties’ long-term satisfaction with the outcome betwee...
Wissler, Roselle L.. May. 1, 1999Description of Study: Examined domestic relations mediation in thirteen courts in Maine and six courts in Ohio in relation to fairness and satisfaction.
Findings: Maine:Parties overall perceived the process to be fair (93% thought it was very or somewhat fair). Most parties were satisfied – 83% were very or somewhat satisfied. There was little sense by parties that mediation reduced costs (15%) or time involve...
McAdoo, Bobbi. Jan. 1, 1997Description of Study: Evaluation of the impact of Minnesota Supreme Court Rule 114 (requiring attorneys to consider ADR in every civil case and discuss it with their clients and opposing counsel) on the use of mediation in Minnesota.
Findings: Attorneys chose mediation because it saved litigation expenses (67.9%) and because it made settlement more likely (57.4%). However, they did not think it reduced their workload. Mediation as compared to litigation process: 46.7% said it saved attorne...
Richardson, C. James. Feb. 1, 1988Description of Study: Reports on the findings of two studies of three custody and visitation mediation programs and one divorce mediation program that included support and property division as well: the Winnipeg Study, and the Divorce and Family Mediation Study (Montreal, Saskatoon, St. John’s).
Findings: Across sites, 80% to 90% of respondents felt the mediator was fair; 16% felt pressured into an agreement before they were ready. The settlement rate in the Winnipeg Study was 65% per the mediators, 46% per the parties. The settlement rate in the DFMS...
Hanson, Roger A.; Becker, Richard. The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process, Jan. 1, 2002Description of Study: Examination of whether mediation could be effective at later stages of appellate process, and what the reaction of attorneys was to this mediation program.
Findings: Of the 308 cases screened into the program, 88 settled through mediation. Statistical analysis revealed that the only variable that had an effect on settlement was the amount of time the case remained under negotiation – the longer it remained open, ...
Jones, Tricia S.; Bodtker, Andrea. Mediation Quarterly, Jan. 1, 1998Description of Study: Examined the long-term satisfaction of mediating couples in York County, PA.
Findings: Parties were satisfied over all. Short-term and long-term satisfaction were related. Satisfaction with mediation was significantly affected by whether an agreement was reached.
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